Dissatisfaction with federalism grows

When Kevin Rudd was elected Prime Minister he promised to end the blame game between the three tiers of government.

But the states' reaction to his health and hospital funding reform plan suggests he still has a fair way to go.

A new poll of Australians' attitudes toward the federal system shows there is a clear and growing mood for change in the way the nation is governed.

In particular, there is an increasing number of people who would like to see state governments replaced with regional bodies, or removed altogether.

The Australian Constitutional Values survey polled over 1,000 people in May 2008, and again in March of this year.

It shows around three-quarters of people questioned want to see a change in the next 20 years.

Griffith University Professor AJ Brown says the results show support has grown for removing the state level of government.

"When asked about what levels of government, and how many governments they thought Australia should have in 20 years, 66 per cent of respondents in 2008 indicated a system different from today," Professor Brown said.

"In March 2010, that figure has increased to 75 per cent of respondents.

"Significant proportion of people still question whether in fact we couldn't have a system which involved more regional government or some sort of alternative for better dealing with the geography and the diversity of the country."

He says Australians want to see a clearer distribution of powers and responsibilities.

"Although the system may not be collapsing, and there may be very many good things about our federal system, it does have some serious questions," he said.

"[Questions] about who should be doing what, who's currently doing what, the 'blame game' - which is a big political issue - and whether we shouldn't be thinking about evolving our system into something that's much more responsive."

There is a message in the research for Mr Rudd, as he tries to convince state governments to sign up to his health reform plan.

"There is strong public support for that overall principle, even if people are, perhaps justifiably, somewhat sceptical about whether in fact to the result will be that the Federal Government can force people to do it any better," Professor Brown said.

Professor Brown says while institutions like the COAG Reform Council are a good first step on the path to reforming federalism, it is vital for Australian governments to invest in a bigger process for managing change.

"It's really very similar to trying to pour high octane fuel or more oil into a motor which is suffering problems," he said.

"In fact, it may well be that what we need to do in this case with the federal system is rebuild or at least recondition the motor as well as putting in the oil and the high octane fuel.

"Both dealing with the structure and the operation of the system and well as trying to make it perform better."